Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs)
Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs), in particular ‘superbugs’ like MRSA, have become a growing problem for health authorities in the UK over the last few years. MRSA was relatively uncommon through the 1960s and 1970s. The infection rate rose dramatically in the mid-1990s when particular 'epidemic' strains of MRSA became established in hospitals throughout the UK. These strains are easily transmissible (passing between and colonising both patients and hospital staff) and can cause serious disease. 6,381 cases of MRSA were reported in England between April 2006 and March 2007. According to The European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS), which collates HCAI infection data from across Europe, the UK has the 4th highest rate of MRSA in Europe after Portugal, Malta and Greece.
Current estimates of the rate of healthcare associated infections among hospital in-patients in England range from 8.2% to around 10%. It costs the NHS between £4,000 and £10,000 more to treat a patient with an infection, and about £9,000 more to treat a single patient with a superbug infection.
Read more about this topic: Patient Pak